Potatoes are known as one of the hardiest possible crops, tubers that seemingly take forever to go bad; if stored correctly in a cool pantry, they can sometimes last for literally months on end. Despite the name, sweet potatoes are much more sensitive, generally only lasting around 3-5 weeks. And skin cracking or blemishes are the easiest way to spot a sweet Potato that’s already started to go bad. If you see a sweet potato in the grocery store with these features, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

If you’re dealing with sweet potatoes at home that have developed blemishes over time, some of them might still be salvageable. Just don’t try to eat them whole like a baked potato — scoop out the bruised sections and slice up whatever is left (they are particularly well as fries and, of course, the classic sweet potato pie).